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7/31/13

Earlier this week, I spent the day in New York City. Between scanning the racks at Barneys and running up to Bergdorf's to meet a good friend, I feel that I have a pretty good sense of what I'll be wearing this Fall. While I'm never one to rush summer, (I'm pretty bummed that today is the last day of July already) I do feel that Fall clothes are the consolation prize for summer's end. With that said, here's what I'm thinking for Autumn in New York...

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7/30/13

This feature in Architectural Digest, on Chris Burch's stunning Hamptons house caught my attention for a number of reasons. As a small business owner with an online retail site, I'm interested in everything the man behind hugely popular brand name stores like C.Wonder, Tory Burch and Poppin does, right down to where and how he "summers." As a design blogger with a focus on interiors, I simply couldn't resist this home...the China Seas prints, the lucite, the coral, the white painted exposed ceiling beams...it's all just so wonderfully beachy, chic!

7/29/13

Even though I've talked about adding an outside shower to our house for years (and even blogged about it here ) this home improvement project still remains undone. Driving home with the family yesterday, from a very fun filled yet exhausting visit to South Hampton, Mr. Zhush and I, had plenty of time to discuss our love of the beach and bemoan our current landlocked situation. Amidst all the traffic on the Long Island Expressway, we came to the conclusion that we really needed to add a bit of the outdoorsy, beachy feel, that we love so much to our home here in the "woods"... the best way we can think to do this, is via an outdoor shower. I think last summer we may have been over complicating this project and this has slowed our progress down to a full stop. Now, we're re-thinking the whole thing with a keep it simple attitude. Rather than build the whole shower out at once, I'm loving the idea of just getting only the plumbing sorted out, and then taking our time to choose an attractive enclosure that suits are house's aesthetics. Here is a round up of my favorite outdoor showers from Houzz, with the first and third options being the two that will most suit our needs and our home. I'll keep you posted on the outcome...in the mean time, which is your favorite?

7/26/13

I'm definitely having an everything that's old is new again, moment...everything here, except for the fun initial earrings, (which are currently marked down to $18.00 ~ part of Nordstom's Anniversary sale), I've worn at some point in my life, in some type of form, already...

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7/25/13

Further to this post on Nate Berkus' and Jeremiah Brent's new Hollywood home, I thought it might be worthwhile to check out Jeremiah Brent's designs today, and I'm so glad I did. Bravo addict that I am, I was first exposed to the design work of Jeremiah Brent on The Rachel Zoe Project, when Jeremiah beautifully decorated Rachel and Rodger's new L.A. home last season. In particular, I love Jeremiah's chic styling (note the large gold wishbone on the book shelf, below!) which is really no surprise, since (at least according to Bravo) Jeremiah got his first big break as a stylist...

Leave it to one of my favorite designer couples, (Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent) to take one of my favorite design palettes and create a picture perfect home. Spotted recently over at Harpers Bazaar, this chic Hollywood home is my newest fave.

7/24/13

Every once in a while, I discover a top that is so comfortable, so flattering and so affordable that I feel compelled to share it here. That is exactly the case with this black sleeveless top from Splendid. I found myself reaching for it on so many days that I finally broke down and ordered it in two more colors. I can't say enough good things about this simple summer top, it literally checks off all my musts: bra-friendly, flowey yet not too "when are you due?" flowey, so soft and only $74.00! Best of all, it's basic enough, that I know I'll still love it next summer as well.

7/23/13

When it comes to home decor, coffee table styling (zhushing) is one of my favorite things to do. The photo above (from the zhush.comlook book) illustrates this passion of mine perfectly. To me, it's all about the art of self expression through books, art and a few well chosen accessories. To read more about this, please head over to keep.com, where I've recently signed on as a Keeper for this fun and highly addictive site and be sure to check out my blog post, entitled "How To Style The Perfect Coffee Table." (You can also check out my related "keeps" here). Go on and give Keep a try, it's a really well done visual marketplace with an abundance of great ideas and inspiration.

While not exactly the same silver cuff, I couldn't help but to get a tiny bit excited when I saw the latest installment of one of my favorite features on Vogue.com: 5 Looks 1 Girl. The silver cuff we sell over at zhush.com is similar enough to certainly achieve this same preppy, classic look. How beautiful is Alexandra Macon? Not to mention the whole spread which was shot in Charleston, South Carolina...a place I'm dying to visit myself.

7/22/13

Before we shot our look book, I searched around for visual inspiration and pinned a whole bunch of pretty vignettes. Now that our look book shoot is over, I went back to look at these images once again and noticed that a very large percentage of them contain some sort of small scale art work, either propped up in the vignette or on a tiny easel. Clearly, I have a thing for mini-paintings...maybe it's a cry from my subconscious desire to start painting again this summer~"why not just start small"? Do you ever notice a pattern in the things that you're drawn to?

7/19/13

There's no common thread for these items, except for the fact that each and every one of them is currently sitting in a virtual shopping cart of mine somewhere, waiting for me to decide (you've done that too, right?!) I still have yet to buy dishes for our home in Florida, which is partially crazy but also ensures that I don't have to cook on vacation...chic plates like these from Kim Seybert, seem to be a good compromise...cause they're melamine so maybe not really dishes, plus they are so pretty! Also pretty, the scent and the looks of this candle spotted recently at Barneys. As for this ring...I'm sort of obsessed with this whole double bar look in rings at the moment, and this one in particular from Gorjana, I just can't stop thinking about it, or this sweet little brass heart box, by Jonathan Adler, it reminds me of a similar silver one that I had many, many years ago. Finally rounding out this weeks obsessions, this J.Crew, black and white collection pom-pom top, is perfect in so many ways...the spotted trim detail? Obsessed! And, finally, our vacation house still needs more seating, I need to fix this immediately, perhaps with a pair of these versatile stools? They seem so vacay-tiony to me! I've shown you mine...what's sitting in your cyber carts these days?

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7/18/13

Today, we're peeking into Jenni Kayne's amazing California home. If the name sounds familiar it's because Ms. Kayne is the lady behind the popular fashion line, Jenni Kayne, and is responsible for one of the biggest shoe sensations this summer, the d'orsay flat. Ms. Kayne, also has a great line of ready to wear clothes, a few of my faves are this gorgeous black dress and this smart little white top. Since I already love Jenni Kayne's cool California aesthetic, it came as no surprise to me that her home is the epitome of luxe meets laid back chic. See below for a few of my preferred picks and be sure to check out Architectural Digest for the full feature...

7/17/13

At the start of this summer, I had the chance to meet up with fellow blogger, Albertina, from Mimosa Lane, in New York City. We had a really great lunch followed by some shopping on the Upper East Side. Albertina was patient and kind enough to indulge me as I dragged her from shop to shop, looking for the perfect cross body bag. I ended up coming home that day with a very simple one, similar to the one above. Now that I've had this bag for over a month, I'm fully converted to the whole small cross body bag concept...especially during this hot and humid summer (who has the energy to shlep a giant leather tote around?) Even better, I get to keep my hands free for more important items, like my iced skim lattes. Another plus, cross body bags are much more affordable than larger bags...which is good as I'm now contemplating adding another one to my collection. Right now, I've got my eye on this tan one with a fun tassel by Rebecca Minkoff, (so perfect for fall) this perfectly chic Jojo cross body bag from Shopbop, (I'm partial to the blue one) the Marcie Small Round Bag by Chloe, this bright green mini sac by Clare Vivier (it's under $175.00!) and also this cute silver bag by Stella McCartney, with a chain strap for a bit of a dressier look. Has this hot summer changed your approach to fashion? I'm betting it has...

7/16/13

"A walk in still life"...is how John Saladino, likes to think of the interiors that he designs, which is really fitting, as this is exactly what crossed my mind when I recently stumbled upon this luxurious apartment designed by Saladino, in Elle Decor. Appealing to both my traditional and modern style sensibilities, I appreciate how this home, while clearly elegant, also looks so inviting and liveable...

PS: Thanks so much for all the great feedback on our look book yesterday! The comments, emails, tweets and pins literally made my day!

7/15/13

At the end of June, I had photographer extraordinaire, Jane Beiles, come here to the house, to help me get the latest edition of our look book from dream to reality. We only just got the final prints back a few days ago, but while our talented intern, Danielle, is hard at work uploading everything to the glossi format for zhush.com, I wanted to share a few of my favorite images here today. All the photos were styled by yours truly and this really was a labor of love for me...hence my eager excitement. I'm sure I'll be equally enthusiastic when the actual look book goes live on our site, but until then, I'm more than happy about these...

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7/11/13

Even though it's been incredibly hot (and humid!) and rainy...summer is still my favorite season by far. Here's just a few of the many, many reasons why... Fresh flowers ~ both inside and out, quiet mornings, bike rides, back yard garden vegetables, warm weather treats and most importantly more time (and daylight!) to do it all in, including focusing on projects around here big and small...all of it captured on my other favorite, Instagram. What are you favoring these days?

7/10/13

I'm always asking all kinds of shopping related questions, mostly in the spirit of research for my own site, but sometimes it's strictly curiosity and girl talk...Last week, I asked a few friends what their favorite thing to shop for was, and hands down, accessories came in first. Next, I asked everyone to name their favorite type of clothing to buy, and as predicted...bathing suits came in dead last. By far, the number one favorite type of clothing to shop for is tops! The consensus is that the right tops can be the easiest and most versatile pieces in our closets, and when that top is the kind you can wear now during these hot months and later with a cardigan or blazer come fall, plus, dress up or dress down, it's clear that tops are a fashion win/win all around. I couldn't agree more, and this summer I'm especially drawn to the selection over at Rebecca Taylor. I already owna couple of these silky pieces and love the easy, breezy way they fit...and don't even get me started on the sale section! What's your favorite thing to shop for?

7/9/13

Browsing Sara Tuttle Interiors the other day, I noticed several new projects I hadn't seen before. A fan of Ms. Tuttle's, I had thought I'd seen most, if not all of her work, on some of my favorite online interior design sites...actually, I honestly thought I'd done at least one post on Sara Tuttle Interiors, already on this site! A quick search of my own blog proved me wrong. Inexplicably, I've been quietly admiring this D.C. based designer for years. Today, that all changes, as I'm sharing some of my favorites right here with you. Be sure to stop by Sara's charming site to see the rest of her fresh and pretty spaces.

7/5/13

Last week, I waltzed into Sephora in need of a new bronzer, and some sort of beauty change up for summer. Like the proverbial kid in the candy store, I left with much more. The bronzing powder was purchased (and it's just the hint of warmth and pink I was looking for) along with a new bronzing powder brush (naturally!). And, because the sales lady that helped me smelled so great, I had to ask what scent she was wearing...apparently, it wasn't perfume at all, but rather Angel Hair Mist! Then, to figuratively seal the literal deal, she also recommended Clinique's moisture surge face spray. I'm probably using it all wrong, but a few spritzes of this stuff, seems like a fun way to get your skin hydrated quickly. Finally, even though the last thing I needed was another lip balm (I seriously have some sort of lip gloss/balm hoarding issue) I couldn't resist this one by Sephora. It claims to match your skin's ph balance or something like that, creating a perfect pink just for you. How would you ever even know if this is true?! At any rate, I really do like the color on me. Do you switch things up in your makeup for summer or are you true to the same routine all year long?

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7/4/13

How sweet is this beach cottage? I took this photo with Instagram, last summer, and almost completely forgot all about it...Two days ago someone randomly "liked" it, so I saw it again in my feed and smiled. This was snapped on Fire Island, when my husband and I took a day trip out there in late August last year. Fire Island is probably one of the most charming and laid back little beach destinations, ever. It's also where I first met Mr. Zhush...appropriately enough on July 4th weekend. And here's the crazy part, it was TWENTY years ago, July 4th weekend that we met...woe. And then I did a double take when I saw the house number on this little house, yup, 20! It must be Kismet, which is actually, the name of the town on Fire Island that my beach house rental was in, all those summers ago! awww. Happy July 4th everyone!

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7/3/13

Independence Day inspired fashion always makes me smile. Mainly because I'm already drawn to navy, stripes, stars, white jeans and chambray tops all summer long anyway. In honor of America's birthday, we'll be heading out to Long Island for a large family BBQ. I'm fairly sure that I'll be wearing a similar version of last year's July 4th outfit (white jeans~obsessed with this new cropped fit from J.Crew, navy top, star earrings and a fun coral necklace to add a dose of red to the mix). Then, this weekend we'll be celebrating yet again, this time with fireworks and cocktails at a nearby country club. I plan on upping the style factor just a little, while still going with the same theme of course. I'll be swapping my Havaianas for a slightly higher heel, going with white jeans that are just a bit more polished and donning my newest favorite, this navy sleeveless blouse from Lilly Pulitzer. While I won't be wrapping the flag around my neck like this adorable image may suggest (although this scarf caused me to consider it for a minute...) I do like the idea of bringing along a cardigan or perhaps a really fun scarf (like this one) to ward off the air conditioned chill. What fun plans (and outfits!) do you have lined up for tomorrow?

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According to the Wall Street Journal, chintz is poised for a comeback. According to others, it never went away. As for myself, I never really thought about floral patterns and chintz either way, until recently. After seeing the bold, fresh way that designer Lee Ann Thorton, utilizes floral fabrics and wall coverings in her designs, I'm starting to understand the appeal and charm of chintz patterns. What are your thoughts on this iconic pattern, is everything old really new again?

7/1/13

Summer is racing by, can you believe it's already July?! Since this is one of my favorite months, it makes sense that I'm featuring, Elizabeth Bauer, here today, as she is easily one of my favorite designers. I remember first happening upon Elizabeth's mid-century meets classic European style in Lonny magazine a few years ago, and falling in love with her flair for old world design with a twist. I can't say that these images represent my favorites, because, honestly every room Elizabeth designs is my favorite...(but I couldn't really fit them all here today).